Real Madrid: Vinicius Jr responds to criticism over celebrity status

Madrid—Vinicius Junior has broken his silence on the scrutiny that has trailed him since his rise to stardom, acknowledging that the glare of life at the summit of world football can be unforgiving. The 23-year-old winger, who has become a lightning rod for criticism over his on-pitch interactions with fans and opponents, used a live-streamed conversation with popular content creator Ibai Llanos to offer a candid rebuttal.

Frequently targeted for his conduct, the Brazilian international argued that the transition from anonymity to global recognition arrived without a roadmap. “When you’re very young, you don’t learn how to become famous,” Vinicius told Llanos. “I went from nothing to being a celebrity, unable to walk the streets. The upside is that people love you a lot. But the downside is the media and rival supporters. You have to be ready to hear everything, not just the positive.”

The forward’s comments come amid recurring debates about his demeanour during matches, with some sections of supporters and pundits questioning his reactions towards crowd provocation and confrontations with players. Rather than temper his approach, Vinicius has chosen to contextualise the pressure he faces, framing it as an inevitable by-product of sudden fame.

By addressing the issue publicly, the Madrid No. 7 hopes to shift focus back to his football while urging empathy for young athletes navigating the demands of elite sport under relentless scrutiny.